Brinton Memorial Visitor Coordinator (inactive)

(Adapted from 1998 Guide.  The Brinton Visitor Program and this position are currently inactive.  See Yearly Meeting actions described below.)

The Howard and Anna Brinton Memorial was established by Pacific Yearly Meeting to honor the Brintons and their worldwide contributions to the Society of Friends.  It then became a joint project of PYM, IMYM, and North Pacific Yearly Meeting to encourage intervisitation among the three yearly meetings.  Both IMYM and its Meetings and Worship Groups contribute to the Brinton Memorial fund to enable an outstanding Friend or Friends chosen by the Memorial Visitor Committee to visit Monthly and Preparative Meetings or Worship Groups upon request.  One purpose of the memorial is to provide a person who could spend several days with small or isolated Monthly and Preparative Meetings and Worship Groups, speaking both formally and informally with them in small groups or individually.  The IMYM Coordinator serves as a member of the Brinton Memorial Visitor Committee. 

Appointment: The Brinton Memorial Visitor Coordinator is appointed for a three year term beginning at the rise of an annual session. 

Responsibilities of the Brinton Memorial Visitor Coordinator include:

1.  Attending, if possible, the meeting of the Pacific Yearly Meeting Brinton Memorial Visitor Committee.

2.  Determining the time assigned to IMYM, areas of the Visitor's expertise, mode of travel, and any special requests or requirements.

3.  Outlining a travel route through the region.  Adequate rest periods will be included in the itinerary.  This plan should be prepared in time for presentation at the winter meeting of the Continuing Committee.

4.  Advising Monthly and Preparative Meetings and Worship Groups of the approximate itinerary through their region and establish a definite schedule, including the names, addresses, and phone numbers of hosts and/or persons meeting the Visitor.

5. Writing the Visitor of the general geography, climate, culture, types of groups she/he will meet with, and other information believed to be helpful, and to include a schedule for the time in the IMYM area.  A copy of this schedule should also be sent to the Pacific Yearly Meeting Brinton Memorial Visitor Coordinator.

6.  As soon as the specific travel schedule is definite, sending notice to the clerks and convenors of Monthly and Preparative Meetings and Worship Groups, giving background information about the speaker.

7.  Working with and through Regional Meetings, soliciting contributions from Meetings and Worship Groups to help defray transportation expenses of the Visitor to small Monthly and Preparative Meetings, Worship Groups, and areas where Quakers have not yet organized.

8.  Reporting to the Pacific Yearly Meeting Brinton Memorial Visitor Committee Coordinator and to the Clerk of IMYM. 

Financial Arrangements:  The Yearly Meeting pays travel expenses for the Coordinator to attend the annual meeting of the Pacific Yearly Meeting Brinton Memorial Visitor Committee.  Incidental operating expenditures for clerical supplies, communications, etc., may be submitted to the Treasurer for reimbursement.  The Treasurer should be consulted before incurring unusual expenses.

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Yearly Meeting Actions Regarding the Brinton Visitor Program (June, 2007) 

Pacific Yearly Meeting in 2006.  The following was reported to the Plenary IX Session of Pacific Yearly Meeting, Aug. 5, 2006, as a portion of the Ministry and Oversight (Committee) Report to Annual Sessions (see http://www.pacificyearlymeeting.org/2006/PYM2006MinutesandReports.pdf):

The Brinton Visitor Subcommittee has done some deep discernment, clearly Spirit-led, and representatives from PYM, IMYM, and NW Pacific Meeting have asked that the program be laid down. Ministry and Oversight will work with the Finance Committee to distribute the remaining funds fairly among the three Yearly Meetings, but we also see how important visitation is to our small meetings and so would like to return, if we can, to the beginnings of the Brinton Visitor program, using our portion of the remaining funds to continue the Brinton Visitor within our Yearly Meeting.

The Yearly Meeting did not take separate action on this matter. 

IMYM in 2005.  The following was reported to Session 1 of IMYM, June 16, 2005, as a portion of the Continuing Committee Report:

The Intermountain Yearly Meeting Continuing Committee is not in unity to continue our participation in the Brinton Memorial Visitor Program at this time. We expect and hope that Intermountain Yearly Meeting Friends will continue to seek unity regarding this program. (CC 2005-28)

The Yearly Meeting accepted the report (IMYM 05.01) without taking separate action on this matter. 

North Pacific Yearly Meeting.  We have no record of NPYM action other than as reported by the PYM M&O Committee above.